Radioshaq 4: Shaqreligious

Franchise, Jarl Q and his Twin Bros 3

Alias Punch

Alias Punch crawled out of the sea with the determination one would expect from a species hellbent on existing. Together, the trio weaves multiple genres to create a sludgy blanket to keep you warm through the winters, and cool in the summers.

Franchise

Orlando freak rockers Franchise have been around the scene for damn near a decade now, albeit in not exactly concentrated doses. Regardless, whenever they do emerge from their cave, it’s always to notably intriguing results. Over the years, their boundary-pushing sound has roved between the poles of noise, psychedelic and space rock. Currently populated by members from noteworthy local acts like Danny Feedback, Bob on Blonde and Dr. Moonstien, the quartet is releasing their fourth LP, The Akashic Record. It’s a strong, dizzying album that effectively hinges their experimental gestures – which can be genuinely creative and wildly humorous at the same time – on intelligible rock language in ways perhaps more even-handed than ever. It’s reliably left-field, often with a big sense of humor, but capable of snapping into some flights of beautifully overdriven power. Is Franchise conceptual, mischievous or just way stoned? Likely all three.